Dry enough to epoxy?

[bobdoughty]

I've got a small weep from an old skin fitting which I want to epoxy over (inside and possibly out) whilst drying out over a low tide - maybe 4 hours. Does anyone have any advice on how to get the surfaces dry enough for the epoxy to stick? I haven't got any electrical supply so I can't use a fan but I wondered if there were any water dispersing chemicals that wouldn't then affect the epoxy? All tips and hints welcome. Thanks

 

[savageseadog]

You can use one of the alcohols like meths or IPA to dry water but if the GRP lay is wet then it won't dry it.

 

[30boat]

You can use a gas blow torch very carefuly.The heat will dry the area you want to epoxy.If you don't get the flame too close to the fiberglass and keep moving it you should be ok.

 

[seumask]

How about some form of hot water bottle arrangement, then you know it wont get too hot.
Or possibly even a compressor / compressed air arrangment. Sounds like you really need to do a temporary fix for now and a proper epoxy job later. Thats my 2 pence worth.

 

[simonfraser]

if it only weeps i'd leave it alone until the boat is out. if you remove the fitting and don't get a good seal you're in trouble.
you could glass a patch over the outside only & leave the fitting in & sort it properly when the boat is out ?

 

[Lakesailor]

Yup agree. Epoxy hates damp. Even if you dry the grp locally the damp will wick back into the area and the epoxy will just de-bond.
Use a damp-curing mastic for the time being and dry out the area properly out of the water for a couple of weeks.

 

[fishermantwo]

I would recommend an epoxy product in a tube that you knead between your fingers then force into the leak with a wooden spatula. In Australia its made by Selley's and called Knead it. Goes off under water. Excellent product, easy to use and will last as long as your boat.

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day jackthelab,

Repairing from the inside will not prevent more water getting into your laminate and will mean more drying time or problems when you get around to the full fix.

You should do a temporary repair on the outside, this will allow the inside to dry out and make for better conditions when you haul out next, there are a number of products that will stick on wet and cure underwater available.


Avagoodweekend......

 

[bobdoughty]

[ QUOTE ]

...there are a number of products that will stick on wet and cure underwater available.


[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, a temporary solution until October's what I'm after. When she's out again for the winter I can sort it out properly. I came across the putty stuff mentioned by fishermantwo - you wouldn't have any other product names would you? Thanks

 

[MikeBz]

There's one here: http://www.littlepinkshop.com/shop/ding-underwater-epoxy-stik-repair-putty-p-227.html

No personal experience or connection etc.

Mike